A poem to lift your mood

It was World Poetry Day recently and YourLifeChoices is delighted to break from standard (coronavirus reporting) service to help celebrate the occasion.

Poet Richard Alexander, from Lismore in New South Wales, sent us a poem, The Maverick and the Man, which we really enjoyed. Richard says: “The poem is from a book, Consequences (available for purchase via Booktopia), which I released last year and launched here in Lismore.

“I grew up at Maroubra in Sydney but love the country and its people. In this poem, I recalled an older couple who were very much in love. She passed away before him and I know he was devastated. From those thoughts, the poem emerged. I envisaged that he would have wanted her buried on the property so he could continue to take care her.”

The Maverick and the Man

The old man walked across the veranda, 

sat on his favourite chair 

and picked up his book. 

 

A photo fell

from the well-read volume; 

he looked at it and cried.

 

The virgin snow fell 

covering the mountain top citadel 

and dusting the ground around him. 

 

Chickens pecked around the yard 

and the old heeler went into the house 

to sleep beside the fire.

 

The old man asked the face in the photo,

“Why did you leave us alone?

We miss you.”

 

But, time won’t heal his wounds; 

her face was still there 

and he could still hear her voice.

 

He looked across the fences 

to the top paddock; 

and to the patch beyond.

 

He called the heeler to join him, 

and they walked the paddocks, 

their hair white with snow.

 

“Jes you ‘n’ me fella, 

whadya reckon? 

We gunna be OK, aren’t we?”

 

The maverick looked up through mournful eyes 

and the farmer said, 

“Yeah I hope so too.”   

 

They closed the gate after they entered;

and raked the ground over where she lay, 

now at peace with God.

 

He knelt down,

held the dog close to him,

“Yeah, mate, I hope so too.”

 

 

Do you have a poem to share for World Poetry Day?

From Consequences © Richard Alexander, Australia, 2019.

3 comments

POEM: Be Thankful

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

~Author Unknown

 

Image result for brother richard hendrick

Brother Richard Hendrick

 

 POEM: LOCKDOWN

Yes there is fear.
Yes there is isolation.
Yes there is panic buying.
Yes there is sickness.
Yes there is even death.
But,
They say that in Wuhan after so many years of noise
You can hear the birds again.
They say that after just a few weeks of quiet
The sky is no longer thick with fumes
But blue and grey and clear.
They say that in the streets of Assisi
People are singing to each other
across the empty squares,
keeping their windows open
so that those who are alone
may hear the sounds of family around them.
They say that a hotel in the West of Ireland
Is offering free meals and delivery to the housebound.
Today a young woman I know
is busy spreading fliers with her number
through the neighbourhood
So that the elders may have someone to call on.
Today Churches, Synagogues, Mosques and Temples
are preparing to welcome
and shelter the homeless, the sick, the weary
All over the world people are slowing down and reflecting
All over the world people are looking at their neighbours in a new way
All over the world people are waking up to a new reality
To how big we really are.
To how little control we really have.
To what really matters.
To Love.
So we pray and we remember that
Yes there is fear.
But there does not have to be hate.
Yes there is isolation.
But there does not have to be loneliness.
Yes there is panic buying.
But there does not have to be meanness.
Yes there is sickness.
But there does not have to be disease of the soul
Yes there is even death.
But there can always be a rebirth of love.
Wake to the choices you make as to how to live now.
Today, breathe.
Listen, behind the factory noises of your panic
The birds are singing again
The sky is clearing,
Spring is coming,
And we are always encompassed by Love.
Open the windows of your soul
And though you may not be able
to touch across the empty square,
Sing.

March 13th 2020

Source Huffington Post

 

 

Two Fish and Five Barley Loaves

In these times of rationning, this poem is apt. Although this guy and I don't travel on the same bus, I kinda like him:

 

 

Two Small Fish and Five Barley Loaves

 by Shirley Rebstock 8/3/2015

Five thousand people gathered at the Sea of Galilee

Following Jesus, miracles hoping to see

Jesus asked His disciples"Where shall we buy bread for these people to eat?"

although He already knew how to accomplish this feat

One of His Disciples, Andrew, saw a young lad

Five barley loaves and 2 small fish is all he had

But how can so little feed so many

Jesus took the loaves and gave thanks and then there was plenty

After seeing this sign, the men knew the Prophet

This Jesus, who God sent into the world they had met

He took the fish and bread the little the boy had and made it grow

To feed the five thousand, the Bible tells us so

When you think you have very little to offer, no talent or skill

Remember the little boy who offered his meager meal

Jesus gave thanks for the loaves did He not

In this story,Jesus shows He can use our little and still bless a lot

--------

to be honest, I prefer the one about turning the water into wine!!!!

 

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